Israel Police are slated to receive six of the most advanced helicopters in the world from the United States over the next several months. Four of the six are single-engine H125 Airbus Helicopter models.
Towards the middle of next year Israel is to receive the final two helicopters, twin-engine models.
The fleet is intended to replace the aging Bell 206 helicopters, which have been in use by Israel Police since the 1960s.
Operations Division Commander Alon Levavi symbolically “received delivery” of the new helicopters at a ceremony last Thursday in Dallas, Texas, a “historic event” that was documented to be “shown to the Israeli public.”
According to Airbus Helicopters, the H125 “outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for performance, versatility, safety, low maintenance, and low acquisition costs, while excelling in high, hot and extreme environments.”
The new aircraft were purchased with a $115 million guarantee by Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems Ltd., which was retained to maintain and improve the helicopters.